RoseAnne Archibald. (AFN photo)
Saugeen First Nation had a special guest visit the community over the weekend.
The National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations, RoseAnne Archibald, dropped in on Saturday (Aug. 21) to talk to Chief Lester Anoquot and the First Nation council before listening to community members who came out to the Governance Building to meet her as part of her tour to various communities.
Archibald says “I’m doing this tour because I really want to connect with all the Chiefs and councils, and their community members to hear from them, what their priorities are.”
She says First Nations and non-Indigenous communities need to move forward and heal together, referring to the recent news of mass graves of Native children found at several residential schools.
Archibald was quite frank, saying, “Canada has committed genocide; the UN (United Nations) has called it genocide and I think more and more people are recognizing it as genocide and I think that’s an important message–we find a healing path forward.”
Her dream is one day to see happy, healthy children surrounded by the loving care of their families and living in vibrant and safe communities.
Many wanted to talk to the National Chief, while others gave notes to her to study later and some simply wanted to have their picture taken with the special guest.
Earlier in the day, National Chief Archibald visited the Chippewas of Nawash.